Embracing Tribulation

Chapter 2: Romans 5:2 - Accessing Grace Through Faith

In our exploration of Romans 5:2, let's take a deeper look at what the Apostle Paul is telling us: "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." This verse is packed with vital truths about faith, grace, and the hope that comes from trusting in God, especially during tough times.

First, let's break down the idea of "access by faith into this grace." Access means to enter or approach something. In this context, Paul is explaining that faith is the key that allows us to enter into God's grace. You can think of grace as a special kind of favor that God shows us, which we definitely don't deserve. It's like being given a wonderful gift for free! While we may sin, God's grace covers our shortcomings. When we have faith in the right Gospel of Jesus Christ, (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) we are granted access to that grace.

So, how does faith play a role in this? Faith is trust and belief. It means believing in something or someone even when we can't see it. When we choose to have faith in Jesus's crosswork, his death, burial, and resurrection, we are saying, "I trust that He died and paid for all of my sins, past, present, and future sufficiently, and I am now complete in him because of what he did." This trust opens the door for us to experience God's grace. It's almost like having a VIP pass to a concert. Because of our faith, we can stand confidently in an identity of grace—where an understanding of God's Grace and Heavenly purpose rests upon us. We need to study it out.

Now, let's talk about the essential nature of grace in the Christian journey. Grace is foundational to everything we do as Christians. It is by grace that we are saved, as we see in Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." This means we can't earn our way into heaven or God's favor through our good deeds. Instead, grace is a gift that allows us to start fresh, no matter our past. 

Paul goes further in Romans 5:2, telling us we "rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Rejoicing means celebrating or being filled with joy. Hope is the confident expectation that something good is coming. When Paul says we rejoice in hope, he is reminding us that even when we face trials, we can still find joy, knowing that God's glory in Heavenly places is our ultimate destination (Ephesians 2:6). This is not a shallow happiness; it's a profound, deep-set joy that comes from the assurance from the literal words on the pages we study of the King James Bible about what God tells us, regardless of our circumstances now.

How does this all tie together, especially during tough times? When we face difficulties, it can feel overwhelming. But if we've accessed God's grace through faith, we have a stable place to stand—even amidst the storms of life. Think of it like being on a sturdy rock while the waves crash around you. Our faith allows us to cling to God's promises of Grace during trials, reminding us that these hardships won't last forever.

In this chapter, remember that faith is your key to accessing grace. It helps you stand firm and rejoice, even when life gets tough. Knowing that God's wonderful grace is there for you will give you hope and strength, lifting your spirits and guiding you through challenges. As we continue on this journey, let's hold tightly to our faith, savor the grace we've been given, and find joy in the promise of God's glory that awaits us as his Heavenly people.